Black Grooming Entrepreneurs

This Black History Month, Meet The 10 Entrepreneurs Revolutionizing The Grooming Industry

The male grooming industry has grown to become a multi-billion dollar trade. Major brands like Axe, Dove, and the Dollar Shave Club — to name just a few — have contributed to this growth by manufacturing gender-specific products catering to the average Joe. Yet in mentioning the phenomenal success of the business, the public has failed to recognize many of its power players — and by that we mean specifically men of color.

Bevel founder Tristan Walker once described the grooming field as a “second class citizen experience” for such crowds. He had a point, because most of the market’s hygiene products weren’t formulated to tackle the coarse hair or rare skin texture of black men. This would lead to an evolution of change, welcoming a crowd of aspiring trailblazers who’ve introduced innovative products and services to the community that for lack of better terms have shaped the grooming game for African Americans, and on a global level at that!

So in celebration of Black History Month, we’re putting you onto the black entrepreneurs breaking cultural barriers and bringing change to the male grooming industry right now.

Tristan Walker (Bevel)

Twitter

The Foursquare alum noticed a grooming void in the African American community and sharpened his focus on creating a product for “men with coarse and curly hair.” Walker’s vision turned into the game-changing Bevel shaving system, consisting of a singular razor with lotions and a special brush to fight off razor bumps. Bevel is now a mainstream name that’s drawn financial contributions from celebrity venture capitalists like John Legend, Magic Johnson, and Nas, who also serves as a spokesperson for the brand’s upcoming Bevel Trimmer due out this spring.

Darnell Henderson (H.I.M-istry Skincare)

Twitter

Grinding since the late millennium, Henderson’s delivered all-natural skincare products for men ranging from cleaners to toners. So what’s made H.I.M-istry such a winsome brand in the grooming industry till this day? Aside from offering multi-functional products that work as both anti-aging treatments and shaving solutions, Henderson’s creations are available in over 100 Macy’s stores nationwide and sold online across major outlets like Amazon and Birchbox. Attractive packaging and competitive pricing have only boosted its diverse appeal.

Sebastian Jackson (Social Club Grooming Company)

Twitter

Modeling his Detroit barbershop into a social experience, owner Sebastian Jackson formed the Social Club Grooming Company to serve as a community hub for people to come together, get their hair done, and speak on social issues. As a cultural advocate, he’s hired a diverse staff of hairstylists with varied experience to manage people of any gender and race who step through his doors. The SCGC even promotes what it’s coined “Shop Talks,” a series of popular destination events across the Motor City where Sebastian interviews tastemakers and successful entrepreneurs — and he puts in work behind the barber’s chair as well.

Tsakani Mashaba (Michael Mikiala Men)

BBC

During the mid-2000s, South Africa was once considered one of the world’s most dynamic men’s grooming markets. Thanks to the latest contributions of this businesswoman, the country has experienced a surge in the beauty industry once again with Mashaba leading the movement. In 2010, she researched and worked with a biochemist to produce the Michael Makiala Men line that features products designed to eliminate razor bumps, oily skin, and pigmentation — three factors she discovered affected African men most.

Michael James (Frederick Benjamin Grooming)

Twitter

A business virtuoso who’s established a credible rep from working with major beauty brands like L’Oreal and Revlon, Michael James applied his talents to found a multi-ethnic skincare line for modern men. And in doing so, he took inspiration from a man that “was the epitome of style, grace and finesse”: his grandfather Frederick Benjamin Schumpert. FBG products are infused with natural ingredients (spearmint, clove, hemp seed) and free of damaging substances (drying alcohols, petroleum distillates) that replenish hair for every scalp type. No discrimination.

Michael Elliot (Hammer & Nails)

Twitter

Who would have thought a male nail salon would blossom into a business empire? Salute as Michael Elliot raises his hand. He saw the value of integrating a salon inside a man-cave-like setting where an all-female staff performs splendor grooming services and serves refreshments. Hammer & Nails tapped into a niche market that’s blown up since its inception back in 2013, while being featured on Shark Tank and recently granting franchise licenses in over 40 states to expand Elliot’s hand and foot grooming venture.

Edward Bert Oliver Jr. (E.B.O. Beard Butter)

Twitter

The entrepreneurial spirit and word of mouth can get you far in this business. Edward Bert Oliver Jr. is living proof. Through extensive product research and social media (Facebook, Instagram), the Business Management graduate of Norfolk State University chose to develop and self-market his own organic line of beard care products upon seeing the market’s best failing to nourish unique African-American tresses. With an increasing client base and variety of scents available, Beard Butter is steadily evolving into the go-to solution for beard conformists of all races.

Adrian Fanus (Adrian Fanus Grooming)

Yelp

Here is a man who's kept celebs like Chris Brown, John Legend, Idris Elba, and currently Forrest Whitaker looking fresh in front of the cameras over the years. The brains behind luxe AF Grooming salon in Brooklyn created his own grooming line through his self-taught creativity and charming personality, which continue to capture the interest of notable celebs from all backgrounds. Fanus’ unprecedented approach to detail continues to make him a trendsetter in the biz — tailoring premium haircuts and skincare consultations based on two attributes: character and facial structure.

Andrea Polk (Solo Noir For Men)

Twitter

Polk once said, “As a child, the word ‘entrepreneur’ was never a term that was part of my vocabulary.” Call it a case of divine design because it was only a matter of time before she became a power player in the beauty industry. After years of helping other corporate brands, the sales and marketing expert re-entered the male skincare realm and launched a collection of organic grooming products. She’s gone on to develop an infrastructure to “minimize failure” by partnering with a manufacturer that manages most operations (distribution, packaging, testing), building an elite grooming system that specializes in 2-in-1 facial and shaving products for the ethnic man.

Aaron Wallace (Shear & Shine)

Twitter

Shear & Shine was a creation born out of Wallace’s Croydon-based barbershop of the same name, which has set the standard for grooming with a variety of luxury services designed for the black gent who knows what he wants. Determined to address the lack of primping solutions for colored groomists, the visionary behind Britain’s first black-owned male grooming brand embarked on a journey to break such cultural barriers with his own line of premium products. Wallace spent a year delving into research and development to formulate the right hair and skincare solutions for the everyday man. Mission accomplished.